John d



(N0 MOMI-v 2 Sheets- Sheet 1f J. D. OLDS.

VALVE GEAR. l No. 281.1423. Patented July 10, M383.A

Illlilllll (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

y J. D.. oms

VALVE GEAR. Y

f Patented July l0, 1883,

N. Pncn mummpm, unaniem a c.

` UNITED STA-rios@ PATENT innen OHN D." OLDS, OF FORT VAYNE, INDIANA.

VALVE SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 281,123, datedduly 10, 1883.

Application filedv November 47. 1882. (Xo model.) i

To aLl whom it may concern: 4

Be it known that I, JOHN I). OLDs, of Fort;` \Vayne,in the county of Allen and State 'ofi Indiana, have invented certain new andnse-4 ful Improvements in Steam Engine Valve- Gears 5 and I do hereby declare that the following specification, taken in connection with the; drawings furnished andforming a part of the same, is a clear, true, and complete description of the several features of my invention.Y y

The prime object of my said improvements is to control and` operate a single slide-valvey upon the variable automatic cut-oit principle, and to thereby attain in the use of such valves substantially those'economic advantages which l are incident to the use of automatic variable; Veut--oii valve-gear of the most approved construction in connection with other varieties of valves, including the Well-known cut-off slide- Qo valves.

I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed to accomplish said end by means of valve-gear heretofore devised, and in 'some cases patented; but, so far as my knowledge extends, such prior apparatus has involved the use with said single slide-valve of double ec-V eeutrics, lilik-motions, or separate cams oppositely rotated; but I accomplish said result with one valve-actuating cam, which rotates and y 3o embodies two Working-faces, and during the working of the engine one of said faces im! parts to the valve its initial movement in both directions, followed `by, a rest of variable length, and the other Working-face imparts to said valve its terminal movement, followed by a non-variable rest, `and meantime steam enters and exhausts from the cylinder substantially as with any ordinary slide-valve. The Working-face of my valve-cam, which imparts 4o the terminal movement to the valve, I term the fixed face,77 because its action upon the valve is never varied, and the cam-face, which causes the'initial movement of the valve, I term .the variable face#7 because it can be varied' in its position with reference to the liXed face,

and thereby caused to vary the time of the initial movementof'the valve, or, in other Words, to vary the cut-oit or closure of the ports When serving `as induction-ports., The

5o variable face of the cam may be moved and set by handWhile-the engine is at rest, or it may be placed directly under' the control ot a governor of any suitable variety. I employ with said valve-cam a yolre connected with the valve-rod, a pair of sliding` spring cam-blocks for contact with the valve-cam, and a pair of automatic almtment-blocks, which are controlled by springs and by levers actuated by a tripping cam, which is connected to and 'moves With the variable face of the valve-cam, so that said valve-cam, although it rotates in Working the valve-rod, reciprocates said rod in a manner similar to the movements of induction-valve rods when actuated by vibrating and tripping toe-cams, as in certain Welllrnown classes of marine engines. The camblocks, the abutment-blocks, their trippinglevers and tripping-cam constitute locking and tripping mechanism for enabling the valve-rod to be properly moved by the cam when the latter is in Contact with the proper cam-block, and said mechanism also enables the other cam-block not then in use to bear against the opposite side of the cam Without offering any resistance to the free movement of said cam, because these abutment-bl oclrs alternately render the spring cani-blocks incapable of movement independently of the valve-rod vduring the contact therewith of the Working-faces of the cam, and they also alternately permit said tact With the resting-face of the cam and during a portion of the initial movements of the valve-rod in both directions.

While the prime object of my invention is to operate with a variable cut-oii a slide-valve which controls both the induction and eduction of steam, it is to be understood that as my improvements have special reference to the variable induction of steam they maybe profitably employed with a slide-valve which solely controls induction and is accompanied by a second valve for exhaust, in which case this latter could be operated as usual by an eccentric.

Many different kinds of Well-known governing mechanism may be employed in connection with certain features of my invention, because all that is requisite is to impart to the variable cam-face an advancingl or retiring movement in the arc of a circle; but I have devised a governor embodying, in combination With Weighted arms, a system of segmental cam-blocks to remain stationary While in con- IOO on line y, Fig. 6.

nected with the movable face of the valve-cam. In its best embodiment I mount my valve-cam upon the crank-shaft of the engine, the fixed face thereof being iixedly connected to and rotating with said shaft but although the variable face is also rotatively mounted on said shaft and rotates with it, it is also capable of independent rotation thereon in both-directions. The valvecam may, however, be mounted upon an independent shaft, provided it be rotated in exact time with the `crank shaft, and said shaft may be located closely adjacent to the cylinder, if desired, and rotatively con-' nected with the crank-shaft by suitable sh afti ng and gearing. Wherever the valve-cam may be mounted, the governing mechanism may be mounted on the cam-shaft, as is preferred by me or said mechanism mayV be otherwise mounted and operatively connected therewith without departure from certain features of my invention.

To more particularly set forth kmy said improvements, I will refer to the accompanying@ drawings, and, after a full description of the: apparatus therein illustrated, the features deemed novel will be speciiedin the several claims hereunto annexed.

Figure l is a view of a steam-engine crankshaft with my valvegear attached thereto, and.. with a single slide-valve illustratively con-l nectcd therewith. Fig. 2 is a front and side view of the valve-cam detached, and with its variable working-face in its normal position and in its closest proximity to the fixed working-face. Fig. 3 is a front and side view of said valve-cam with its variable face advanced beyond the fixed face as far as possible in a cam proportioned like the one thus shown.

Figs. 4 and 5 are detached views of the main:

but it is obvious that this can be effected by? employing between the sliding rod, which isf moved by the cam, and the valve-rod a pendent lever with adjustable connections.

g I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate a complete engine, but have shown in longitudinal section a valve-seat, A, having a pair of ports, a, for induction and eduction, and an in-v termediate exhaust-passage, b,rsurmounted by a simple slide-valve, B, all of which are substantially as with such ordinary single slidevalves as control the induction of steam to and its exhaust from a steam-engine cylinder.

As here shown, my valve-gear is mounted upon the crank-shaft C, and the valve-rod D is therefore long enough to extend from the cylinder beyond the crank-shaft; but adjacent Ato said shaft itis complex in its construction, Ain that it is composed of 'two vertical crossarms, c, and horizontal upper and lower rods or bolts, d, which connect said arms and form -a yoke surrounding said shaft, and a tail-rod,-

e, serves as a prolongation ofthe valve-rod, (beyond the rear end of said yoke,) which slides in a guide-bearing, f, and a second guide, f,

vis also preferably provided for the valve-rod in front of the yoke7 to secure a true longi- -tudinal movement of said yoke and rod. This yoke may be largely varied in its construction without affecting the results, it being only requisite to provide for properly inclosing the valve-cam, and for so mounting said yoke and connecting lit with the valve that the ymovements of the yoke will be in a right line, and

impart to the valve exactly corresponding adjacent inner face of an' arm, e, and at its other end it abuts against the coincident portion of the cam-block, so that both of said camblocks are normally forced inwardly or toward each other, and they are free to be moved outwardly against their springs, except when prevented from such movement by the abutmentblocks F F, which are fitted to vertical slides, and move parallel with the inner faces of the arms c. Each abutment-block has a spindle, 71, whiclnat its outer end, passes through a guide, h, projecting from the adjacent arm c. An expansive spiral spring, h2, incloses said spindle h and abuts with its ends respectively against the guide h and the abutment-block, so that both of the latter are normally forced inwardly or toward their respective cam-blocks E or E', so as to pass between the rear ends thereof and the inner surfaces of the arms c, thereby locking said blocks against all movement independently ofthe valve-rod. Each abutment-block is automatically caused to retire from its normal position by means of a lever, i, which has its fulcrum upon one side of its adjacent cam-block, and the free ends of both of said leversz' extend beyond the crank-shaft, one being above it, the other below it, and both of said levers are alternately vibrated by a tripping-cam, k, which moves or rotates with the valve-cam G in such a manner that the abutment-blocks are alternately tripped or forced against their springs, and are thereby caused to retire from the rear of the cam-blocks, thus permitting the latter to alternately rest or remain stationary during the movement of the yoke; and, on the other hand, when said abutment-blocks are intheir normal position at the rear of said cam-blocks, the' latter are moved by the valvecam and carry with them the yoke and valverod whenever the working-faces ofthe valve- IOO IIO

cam G engage with the coincident ends of said. Y

n i, I

l arrangement of locking and tripping mec-hansection either serves as a slight `prolongation cam-blocks,` as will :be hereinafter Afurther del scribed. TheF abutment-blocks and A their levers and their trippingcam constitute a locking and tripping mechanism foralternately placing the cam intoand out of its operative connection with the valve-rod. L

While I have reason to prefer the locking and tripping mechanism shown, -I desire it toA be distinctly understood that said mechanism may be largely varied, so as to be very dissimilar in its appearance fromthat shown `without materially affecting the results sought, and without departure from certain features of my invention; and it will be readily suggested to persons skilled in such matters that tripping and locking mechanism more closely resembling that employed with the valves of marine engines can be successfully employed in lieu of the sliding cani-blocks, abutment-blocks, and ylevers shown, for placing the valve-rod into Toperative connection with the workingfaces of the valve-cam, twice in each. revolution thereof, and preventing lost motion, at the moment of the initial action of said cam, in moving the valve-rod in either direction; and I have illustrated rin the drawings another ism, which will` be hereinafter particularly described. Y. y

The valve-cam Gr is composed of the tixedY face-section Z and the variable face-section m, and both are united, so as to constitute one complex cam. The iixed seetionl (shown detached in Fig. a) is, at its periphery, the segment of a little more than a quarter of a circle, and it has its working-face at l. On each oi' its sides this sectionl is annularly recessed,1 as at Z2, thus forming a thin shank ory hub, which is provided with a radial set-screw, l, for securing it to the shaft C. The variable face-section m is composed of two parts,:and has 4its working-face at fm?. The part m" of this section m has a hub, mi, loosely mounted on the shaft C at the one side of the iixed camsection Z, and the part m* of said section m.- is located on the opposite side of said fixed section Z. These two parts m" and m* are firmly connected bya transverse bolt, in, adjacent to theworking-iace m', and also by a bolt, ml, which passes through a curved slot, mi, in the xed section l.'

The variable section m is shown detached in Fig. 5, and it will be seen that in form it corresponds generally with the fixed section Z, in that at its periphery it is a segment of about the s ame length as the fixed section, but of a smaller circle; and it will also be seen that when the several parts ofthe valve-cam are connected the periphery of the variable section `next adjacent to its working face m" merges with the working-face Znof the fixed section Z, and the periphery of said variable of the fixed working-face Zor as a rest between said fixed working-,face and the variable working-face m', said rest varying according to the extent towhich the variable face may be from time to timeY rotatively advanced from said fixed working-face;

It will be seen that at all times some portions of the valve-cam are incontact with the coincident faces -of the cam-blocks, and that when the ,working-faces Z and m are in -eon- ,tact with either cam-block its respective abut- 1 movement; and it will also be seen when either cam-block is thus being moved withthe Y valve-rod by the cam that the other cam-block,

being inactive, remains stationary, its abutment-block having meantime been retired fromits position at the rear of said block, and that vas soon as the periphery of the cam passes beyond said inactive cam-block the spring of the latter forces it inwardly, opening the space ait the rear ot' said blockV for the reception of Aits abutment-block, whereupon said block is Ain readiness for the working-faces of the cam to act thereon for moving the valve-rod in the opposite direction.

I have already stated that said abutmentblocks are actuated in one direction and into their locking position by springs, and in the opposite or tripping direction by levers which are vibrated bythe tripping-cam k, and

,it is now to be understood that said trippingtion, so that as said tripping-cam occupies a fixed position with relation to the variable working-face -m and is movable therewith vit actuates the lever of each abutment-block for releasing or tripping its respective cam-block `just preceding the contact ofthe variable face ofthe valve-cam with the face of the opposite cam-block.

As thus far described, it will be understood that when the variable working-face occupies a position as near as is possible to the fixed working-face of the cam said cam, as a whole,

i one-sixteenth ofthe stroke of t-he piston, and

to hold it thus `fully opened during about a halistroke of the piston, the said workingface meantime rotating until brought into contact with the cam-block E, whereupon, with a fractional, movement of the piston, the valve quickly closes that port and cuts off the live steam, the exhaust of steam being meantime substantially as with other slide-valves. IThe cam with its two working-faces, whether one be variable or both are fixed, or, in other words, whether said cam be compleX,'as described, or a solid cam of similar contour, in combination with the cam-blocks and abutment-blocks, or with equivalent locking and tripping mechanism, are deemed by me preferable to any prior arrangement of cams or eceentrics known to me for operating a slidevalve, and said two-faced cam, in the combination named, constitutes one feature of my invention, regardless of the variable feature.

I will now describe the effect of throwing the variable face forward. When said variable face is in its normal position, I have stated that it commences to close the port last opened for induction just after a half-stroke of the piston; but when said variable face is advanced to its position farthest from the fixed face the of a stroke, and it then commences to close said port, and fully closes it at about three thirtyseconds of the stroke, and it is obvious that any intermediate adjustment can readily be made, so as to cut off the steam at any practicable fraction of the stroke, and it is equally obvious that the steam may-be cut oif at a smaller fraction of the stroke, if desired, by so constructing the valve-cam that its variable face can be farther advanced from its xed face than when the parts are proportioned as shown in the drawings. The arrangement of the two sections of the valve-cam, as shown, enables the location of the two working-faces in the same vertical plane, so that both can operate upon a comparatively 'narrow camblock; but it is obvious that said sections may be mounted side by side, Aand that the aggregate width of their faces need be no greater than the width of a cam having its sections arranged as shown.

The variable working-face, being rotative-independently of the shaft C, may be set in any desired position by hand and secured by bolts or pins, and thus enable the steam to be cut off at any desired portion of the stroke less than that at which it would normally operateas, for instance, the shaft C could be provided with a segmental fiange or plate secured thereto, and provided with bolt-holes arranged in the arc of a circle near its outer end, andthe hub ofthe variable cam-section provided with a radial arm or finger, also bored to receive a bolt passed by hand through said segmental plate for locking said hub to said plate; and therefore the combination of the cam having a variable face, and the cam-blocks with abutmentblocks and levers, or equivalent locking and tripping mechanism, constitutes another feature of my invention, however said variable face may be controlled or adjusted.

In Fig. 9 I show a pivoted cam-block, E, and an abutting-latch,F, serving, respectively, in lieu of the sliding cam-block and-the abutment-block previously described, and inl this case the latch and block are actuated in one direction by springs, and the latch is released or tripped from theA cam-block by means of a lever 'and `a triplning-c'am7 as before described.

I have 4devisedeertain automatic governing mechanism, whereby thevariabl'e face of the valve-cam is advancedl or retired, according to the speed of the engine 5 lbut it is to be understood that other well-known Vtypes of governors may be employed without departure from certain features of my invention, it be- 'ing obvious that any-governor, which, with suitable connecting mechanism, can canse the rotation of the variable portion of the valvecam independently of the shaft on which it is mounted can be employed with substantially similar results, although I prefer that class of ball or weighted governors which rotate upon or around horizontal axes, as distinguished from such as rotate on or around vertical aXes, and the governor which I have specially devised belongs to said preferred class.

My improved governing mechanism embodies ,the usual wheel, II, mountedA upon and rotating witha horizontal shaft, which is usu- -ally the crank-shaft C. Upon two of the oppositely-located radialarm's a of said wheel there is pivoted, near the outer end thereof, a lever, o, pointing inwardly across the shaft, and having a weight,0, mounted so that `it can be moved to and fro longitudinally thereon, and'be firmly secured in any desired position. Each weighted arm or lever. has a pivot-shaft,a,surrounded by a torsional spiral spring, a2, so set as .to normally force the weighted end of the lever toward and against the shaft C. At its zend each pivot-shaft a has a segmental toothed lever, p, which is geared to the toothed pinion p (on or forming a part of Athehub mi* of the variable section of the valve-cam) by meansof an intermediate segmental toothed lever, p2, mounted on a fulcrum stud, which projects from the radial wheeled arm on which the weighted lever is pivoted, and it will readily be seen that as the weights aro moved outwardly by varying centrifugal force, and inwardly by the pivotsprings n2, the hub will be rotated independ-4 ently of the shaft C, and the variable face of the cam will be advanced from or retired toward the fixed face of said cam, and result in the desired variable action of the slide-valve in cutting off the steam.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, substantially ,as hereinbefore described, of a slide-valve,- the rotating cam having two working-faces, and locking and tripping mechanismV for enabling said cam to inovethe vvalve in either direction with an intermitting movement, and to causea rcst after-the terminal movement of the valve in each direction, as set forth. I

2. The combination, substantially as here- ISlD.

IOO

3. The combination, substantially as her` inbefore described, of a slidefvalve, the rotating valve-Cam Ahaving a iixed and e. variable Working-faoe,.the locking and tripping "mechanism,rand the governingmeohanism for automatically varying the position of the Vvariable face with relation to the flied face.

4. The combination, substantial]y as here'- inbefore described, of 'a'.slide-valvaitsjrod with the valve-cam, but is variable with relation to the xed face thereof, and is advanced or retired 'with said variable face, as set forth. 6, The combination, substantially as hereinbefore desoribed, of a slide-valve, the rotating valve-cam having the variable and 'the iiied Working-faces, the looking and tripping mechanism, Vand Ya governor mounted upon the valve-cam shaftand connected with the vari-- ablefaoe of said cam.

7 .o The combinati on, Wi th the rotating valveoan having the Xed and the variable Working-faces, of the Weighted arms and segmental toothed levers geared to the variable Workingfaoe of said cam, substantially as described,V

JHND. OLDS.` v

Witnesses: Y

FnRD. F. BoL'rz,` Jos. HENRY XVILDER. 

